[Note: updated May 2007 to include 2006 General Convention resolutions]

Transcription

1 [Note: updated May 2007 to include 2006 General Convention resolutions] The following represents a first attempt at compiling a comprehensive list of Episcopal Church positions on issues of economic justice, as expressed through General Convention. The list is divided into four sections, based on the broad category into which the resolution falls: church programs and policy, domestic issues, global issues, and courtesy resolutions with an economic justice focus. These distinctions are of course not always clear-cut or absolute, but a resolution s main intent generally falls somewhere inside these boundaries (for example, declaring a new church program or internal policy vs. urging public government officials to take some action). Resolutions were chosen for inclusion based on a fairly narrow reading of economic justice, so as not to have a document that included everything and wouldn t then serve as a useful map. That means I excluded actions whose primary focus was on, say, racial justice or criminal justice--while such matters are obviously bound up with economic justice, their primary focus falls in another broad area (and, more significantly, people looking for church positions in these areas can often find them by consulting with relevant networks in the church, or by going to the appropriate index section in the church Archives--see Again, these can sometimes be fairly artificial distinctions, so a measure of subjectivity and judgment necessarily came into play. The section on global issues excludes resolutions that focus on a single country (e.g. South Africa, Haiti), and reports only on actions that have a broad regional or multinational/global focus (Millennium Development Goals, for example). People interested in church resolutions regarding a country can easily search by that country s name in the Archives--see The document below lists the resolutions in each section (in chronological order), summarizes their content briefly, and (in the electronic version) links to the full text of the resolution on the Archives or Episcopal Church website. This will continue to be a work in progress, so advice, suggestions, corrections, comments, or questions are always welcome. John Mark Summers jmsummers@verizon.net February 2006, updated May 2007 E-1

2 Church Programs and Policies 1976-C044: Support and Fund the Mission to the City Through Urban Churches Committed Church resources and money to Mission to the City and urban ministry, with particular emphasis on the poor, dispossessed, and minority populations B052: Implement an Institutional Program of Racial Justice in the Church Directed Executive Council to design programs to assist dioceses and congregations in combating racial and economic injustice C031: Encourage Church Involvement in Community Economic Redevelopment Encouraged the Church at diocesan and local levels to become involved and to invest property and resources in community economic development A080: Implement "The Jubilee Ministry" to Meet Basic Human Needs Established Jubilee Ministry to raise awareness of the facts of poverty and injustice; to designate centers directly engaged in mission and ministry among and with poor people; to train leaders, develop resources, and share models regarding this kind of ministries; and to establish a Public Policy Network to respond to public issues of peace and justice A139: Develop Plans and Resources to Assist Congregations in Social and Community Outreach Called on Church ministries working on issues of social and economic needs to share plans and resources with congregations D059: Recommend That Church Institutions Deposit Funds in Minority Owned Banks Requested that the Episcopal Church Pension Fund continue the practice of depositing funds in minority banks, and that the Executive Council's Committee on Social Responsibility in Investments share information pertaining to socially responsible investing C030: Establish and Fund a Ministry of Community Investment and Economic Justice Established and funded a ministry for community-controlled economic development programs of the disadvantaged, and urged the Church at every level to support this ministry. (Note: reauthorized in Resolution 1991-A080.) 1988-D023: Encourage the Church to Work With the National Hunger Committee Commended the work of the National Hunger Committee and urged the Church and dioceses to work with it in developing programs to combat hunger D143: Request Dioceses to Educate the Church on the Plight of the Poor Urged dioceses to incorporate materials on understanding and combating poverty into educational programs. E-2

3 !"#$%%& 1991-B007: Authorize the Establishment of a National Episcopal Housing Corporation Authorized the establishment of a National Episcopal Housing Corporation to provide affordable housing to low and moderate income persons D066: Support a Policy of Pay Equity in the Church and Society Declared support for the policy of Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value, and urged the Church and its dioceses to incorporate this policy into their employee guidelines. KEYWORDS: gender, equity 1994-D029: Prepare for Jubilee 2000 Declared the year 2000 a Jubilee Year, and committed to preparing for this year by implementing the biblical imperatives of debt forgiveness, faithful stewardship of God s creation, and human liberation D124: Commend and Encourage Church Efforts for Economic Justice Declared that economic justice remains a priority of the Church, and encouraged the Church at all levels to continue the work of empowering poor and disadvantaged persons begun by the Economic Justice Implementation Committee. (See also Resolutions C030; 1991-A080.) 1997-A036: Authorize the Committee on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation 1997-A042: Reinstitute Grants Program for Social Ministries Authorized Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Committee of the Executive Council to coordinate Church ministries addressing issues of peace, social and economic justice and the environment. Instituted and funded a grants program to adequately support the ministries of JPIC D082: Urge Church-wide Promotion of the Living Wage Urged the Church at all levels to advocate for a living wage (defined as $7.50/hr. or $16,000/yr., the federal poverty line for a family of four) in their communities, and to uphold this standard in the compensation of church employees A001: Support and Fund International Education, Advocacy and Development Programs Encouraged all dioceses to cooperate with other people of faith in programs of education and advocacy related to issues of poverty, and to fund international development programs at a level of at least 0.7% of net disposable budgeted diocesan income B037: Consider Expansion of Funds Administered by the Economic Justice Loan Committee Asked the Executive Council to consider expanding the $7 million loan fund administered by its Economic Justice Loan Committee to at least $24 million dollars and making other changes B050: Recommend Congregational Based Public Policy Groups Encouraged congregations to engage in conversations and theological reflection on public policy issues. E-3

4 2000-C006: Address Urbanization and Urban Mission in the U.S. and in the Anglican Communion Directed Church representatives to the Anglican Consultative Council to support the development of an Anglican Urban Network to share information and experience on urbanization and urban mission, and to produce a report to the Council on these issues C039: Commend CPF on Union Dispute and Urge Involvement in Socially Responsible Investments Commended the Church Pension Fund for its constructive participation in a labor dispute and encouraged the Fund to continue and increase its involvement in stockholder actions and socially responsible investing D052: Reaffirm Commitment to Urban Mission and Ministry Reaffirmed the commitment of the Church to urban mission, and took specific institutional steps to equip the Church to act on this mission. (See also Resolution C032.) 2000-D102: Urge CPF to Develop Investment Policies Based on Principles of the Jubilee Year of Justice Urged the Church Pension Fund to develop policies consistent with the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Justice (see Resolution 1994-D029), including investing in socially responsible businesses and in community economic development A006: Authorize Executive Council to Appoint an Employment Policies Task Group Authorized the Executive Council to appoint a group to study employment policies and practices in the dioceses and parishes of the church and consider policy recommendations that address issues of equity and justice for church employees A038: Include Peace and Justice Studies and Training in Episcopal College and School Curricula Commended to Episcopal colleges and schools the inclusion of peace and justice training and career information in their curricula. Positions on Domestic Economic Justice 1979-B103: Reaffirm Commitment and Urge Diocesan Response to Hunger Reaffirmed the Church s commitment to use its resources for the alleviation of hunger and malnutrition C032: Recognize the Call to Urban Mission and Evangelism Recognized the Church s responsibility to respond to the plight of cities and the urban poor, and encouraged the people of the Church to understanding and overcoming the problems of urban society. E-4

5 !"#$%%& 1982-A058: Recommend Criteria for Re-industrialization Plans Recommended to government, private corporations, and unions criteria for economic decisions and laws involving re-industrialization plans, to ensure that such plans serve the public good. KEYWORDS: labor/collective bargaining, employment, industrialization 1982-D059: Urge Church to Deepen Its Commitment to Alleviating Hunger Urged the Church at all levels to commit to alleviating hunger, through personal and collective action and public policy advocacy D075: Request Dioceses to Consider Sponsoring Conferences on the Economic Crisis Called upon dioceses to consider conferences on the economic crisis in small communities and rural areas. KEYWORDS: rural 1982-D109: Advocate Creation of Employment Opportunities on Indian Reservations Advocated creation of employment opportunities on Indian Reservations (which have an estimated unemployment rate of 89.9%) and alleviation of the pain and suffering resulting from these economic conditions. KEYWORDS: Native American 1985-B039: Express Mind of the House on Legislation for Early Childhood Programs (NOTE: Mind of the House Resolution from the House of Bishops) Urged the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Economic Opportunity Act or a similar policy to ensure economic opportunities and basic services to low-income Americans D033: Work for Increases in Federal Aid to Poor Women and Children Directed appropriate units of the Church to advocate for seek increases in various federal programs which aid women and children in poverty and need A110: Adopt Statement on the Leadership of the Nation Expressed to public officials the conviction that the relief of human suffering cannot be left to the private and voluntary sector or to existing social policies, and called for leaders to make a new commitment to the common good A116: Support Improvement of Public School Education Recommitted the Church to supporting and improving public school education, particularly in urban and rural areas A118: Encourage Regional Approaches to Urban Problems Encouraged applying resources and approaches from the wider region to the problems of poverty in urban areas A146: Endorse the Conversion of Economic Resources From Military to Civilian Use Endorsed the development of federal policies to shift economic resources from military to civilian uses. E-5

6 1991-D023: Call on the Government to Apply FDIC Policies to Community-based Banks Called on the federal government to designate community-based banks as "critical" to the health of communities throughout the nation D051: Urge Protection of Families Receiving Welfare Urged the U.S. government to discontinue the practice of removing households welfare benefits as soon as they begin to earn money or receive financial gifts D067: Recognize and Report on the Pauperization of Women and Children Recognize the national crisis of increasing pauperization of women and children, and urged the Church and public officials to take action to respond to this crisis D078: Affirm Commitment to Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents Affirmed the commitment of the Church to providing decent and affordable housing to those of low and moderate income and to combating homelessness A042: Encourage Church Investment Strategy on Hazardous Chemicals Called on the Church and its members to influence corporations to find alternatives to the manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. KEYWORDS: environment, environmental justice 1997-A129: Charge Dioceses and Provinces with Ministry to Migrant Farm Workers Called on the Church to develop ministries of advocacy and outreach among migrant and seasonal farm workers. KEYWORDS: immigration, immigrants, labor 2000-B036: Commend and Support the Public School System Commended those involved in public school education and went on record opposing private school vouchers C034: Increase Awareness of Social and Economic Problems of Farmers and Rural Areas Expressed Church support for public policies ensuring farmers a just income, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and supporting healthcare access, education, jobs, housing, and other services in rural communities D005: Oppose Environmental Racism Expressed Church support for legislation eliminating the practice of locating polluting industries disproportionately near neighborhoods inhabited by people of color or the poor, and the practices of mountain top removal and valley fill mining and other operations that threaten the ecology and low income communities A124: Reestablish a Standing Commission on Health Reestablished a Church Standing Commission on Health to advocate for a national health care system in which all may be guaranteed decent and appropriate primary health care during their lives and as they approach death. E-6

7 !"#$%%& 2003-A130: Support the Establishment of a Living Wage Called upon the government to establish a living wage including health benefits as the standard of compensation for all workers in the United States, and reaffirmed the policy for the Church and its employees. (See also Resolution 1997-D082.) Also affirmed the right of workers to organize, and insisted that companies in which the Church invests or with which it contracts provide their employees with a living wage and serve as a model for ethical labor practices. KEYWORDS: labor, organizing 2003-C028: Support the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Declared the Church s commitment to actively work in support of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. KEYWORDS: immigration, labor 2003-C030: Urge Legislation to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage Urged the Congress to pass legislation raising the federal minimum wage to at least $8.70 an hour, the hourly equivalent of an annual wage at the current federal poverty line ($18,100 for a family of four persons). KEYWORDS: labor 2003-C033: Urge Legislation to Expand Temporary Workers'Programs Urged the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to expand temporary workers'programs to include all persons residing in the United States engaged in meaningful labor, to ensure that temporary workers receive compensation and benefits parallel to those available to other legal residents, and to give such workers the option of adjusting to permanent resident status and naturalization. KEYWORDS: immigration, labor 2003-D033: Promote Understanding of Basic Financial Matters Direct congregations to provide educational and other resources that promote understanding the role of money in Christians lives, Biblical teachings about financial and material matters, and good stewardship D040: Reaffirm Commitment to Provide Affordable Housing for the Poor Reaffirmed the Church s commitment to providing housing that is safe, accessible, and affordable for low-income and moderate-income persons, and urged all levels of government to ensure that housing assistance programs are adequately funded. (See also Resolution 1991-D078.) 2003-D071: Oppose Government Discrimination Against Single-parent Households Expressed opposition to any effort by the Congress or the legislatures of any of the states that discriminate against single-parent households. E-7

8 2006-A010: Affirm Call to Partnership Received and affirmed Call to Partnership, the communiqué presented to the United Nations Summit on Sept. 13, 2005, by the ecumenical Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty A017: Fundamental Immigration Principles Adopted fundamental principles of the basic rights of undocumented immigrants, including their reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency, family unification, and right to due process, and called on the church to commit to welcoming strangers as a matter of Christian responsibility B018: Call on Government to Fund Programs for Children Urged Episcopalians and the Episcopal Church at every level to work to ensure that governments provide adequate funding for programs that combat social and economic conditions that place children at risk or diminish their ability to achieve their full potential C008: Reaffirm Right of Workers to Organize Reaffirmed the right of workers in the United States to organize and form unions, especially for seasonal and migrant workers who historically have been deprived of those rights C011: Call for National Study of Reparations Called on Congress and the American people to support legislation initiating study and dialogue about the history and legacy of slavery in the United States and of proposals for monetary and non-monetary reparations to the descendants of the victims of slavery D047: Endorse a Living Wage, and Commit to Support of Unions Affirmed support for the right of workers to form a union and for passage of living wage legislation, and committed the Church at all levels to contract solely with union hotels in its meetings, or obtain confirmation that local prevailing living wages are paid by all hotels the Church uses. Positions on Global Economic Justice 1979-B098: Promote the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child Affirmed and adopted the United Nations'Declaration of the Rights of the Child. KEYWORDS: children 1985-A082: Affirm the Church's Response to Global Hunger Called on the Church and its networks to continue to provide opportunities and educational resources to assist Episcopalians to work towards eradicating hunger, through aid, local relief programs, public policy advocacy, and prayer and reflection. E-8

9 !"#$%%& 1997-D015: Reaffirm the Goals of Jubilee Year 2000 Reaffirmed the Church declaration that the year 2000 would be a Jubilee Year, to focus on the Jubilee imperatives of debt forgiveness, environmental stewardship, and human liberation. (See also Resolution 1994-D029.) 2000-A002: Adopt Ethical Guidelines for International Economic Development Established a list of ethical principles for the Church at every level to adopt with respect to international economic development: partnership, respect, empowerment, oneness with creation, distributive justice, and people-centered development A109: Commend and Endorse the Presiding Bishop's Capital Fund Campaign Commend to the Church the proposed capital campaign of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief to develop an endowment to increase the Fund's ability to address the root causes of poverty, ill health, illiteracy, and economic injustice D033: Urge Dioceses and Congregations to Contribute to International Development Programs and Support Micro-Credit Initiatives Challenged all dioceses and congregations to set aside 0.7% of their annual budgets to contribute to international development programs that address poverty, ill health, illiteracy, and economic injustice, and commended micro-credit initiatives as one way to serve the neediest nations A035: Call on the Church to Implement U.N. Millennium Development Goals in Africa Called on the Church at all levels to partner with Anglican Churches in Africa and other agencies to implement the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in Africa, and funded implementation D006: Endorse UN Millennium Development Goals Endorsed the achievement of the United Nations'Millennium Development Goals, reaffirmed the challenge to all dioceses and congregations to contribute 0.7% of their annual budgets to fund international development programs (see Resolution 2000-D033), and called on the U.S. government to fulfill its commitment to funding international development aid at 0.7% of the U.S. GNP B012: Response to Global Warming Affirmed that global warming threatens the future of creation and disproportionately hurts the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in the United States and around the world; and that Episcopalians and the Episcopal Church at every level support efforts to reduce Global Warming 2006-D020: MDGs and the ONE Episcopalian Campaign Established work toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority, and endorsed The ONE Campaign, the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through the Episcopal Church s ONE Episcopalian campaign. E-9

10 Courtesy Resolutions for People/Groups Working for Economic Justice 1982-B013: Give Tribute to Dr. Woodrow W. Carter Honored Dr. Woodrow W. Carter, Sr., for assisting the Church in its response to basic human needs and its quest for social and economic justice in all of society B016: Commemorate St. Francis Academy and Commit to Work for Troubled Families Commemorated Saint Francis Academy Day and called on the Church to continue to work for the needs of troubled children and families D103: Give Thanks for the Life and Ministry of Gloria Brown Gave thanks for the life and ministry of Dr. Gloria Brown for her work in bettering the plight of the economically disadvantaged and oppressed B018: Commend Episcopal Appalachian Ministries Recognized the 35th anniversary of Episcopal Appalachian Ministries (formerly Appalachian People's Service Organization), and commended its work for social justice for the people of Appalachia. KEYWORDS: rural 2003-A015: Reaffirm and Commend Jubilee Ministry to the Whole Church Reaffirmed and commended Jubilee Ministry and declared its mission to be at the heart of the mission of the Church (see also Resolution 1982-A080) C012: Support Episcopal Network for Economic Justice Expressed support for the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice in its facilitation of the training of congregations in economic justice. E-10